While a matchup between two of Louisiana’s highest scoring teams took the field at Wildcat Stadium as Destrehan hosted Alexandria, for the first half on the night it was two strong defenses asserting themselves.
The offenses got loose in the second half – and Alexandria put together a few more plays as it handed Destrehan its second loss of the season, the Trojans emerging a 27-21 winner to move to 3-0.
The Trojans were the Division I select runner-up last season and earned a victory over Destrehan during what was a 13-game win streak in 2024.
On Friday, Destrehan struck first after an interception by Frank Harding set the Wildcats up at midfield. A Jackson Fields pass to Jaylan Ash and then a run by Malachi Dabney inside the 5 led to DHS scoring on a 2-yard Dabney run from the Wildcat formation. Destrehan led 7-0.
Alexandria answered on the back of a pair of Destrehan mistakes – specifically, 30 yards in penalties set up AHS at the Wildcat 7. Kason Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run tied the game early in the second quarter.
Penalties cost Destrehan again after the Wildcats drove inside the Alexandria 10 – those flags pushed DHS back to where it would face a 4th and 23, and a throw from Jackson Fields to Jabari Mack was incomplete for a turnover on downs. The two teams went into halftime tied 7-7.
Early in the third quarter, Alexandria made a play on special teams that would prove massive – the Trojans blocked an Ian Arceneaux field goal attempt and Kerrick Gaines returned the ball all the way inside the Destrehan 5. Williams rushed for his second touchdown of the night to make it 14-7.
After Alexandria converted a third down and 11 on a pass by Karson Sellers to Hayden Burford, the Trojans got the running game rolling and Noble Williams and Kason Williams brought the team down the field. It was touchdown No. 3 for Kason Williams to make it a 21-7 game.
Destrehan (1-2) converted a 3rd and 15 on a pass interference penalty to extend their ensuing drive. That led to Dabney slashing up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 21-14.
But Kason Williams struck again – this time for his most explosive play of the night. A play action pass by Sellers to Williams sparked a 50-yard touchdown connection that made it 27-14 with 3:25 left in the fourth quarter.
Destrehan answered with the quick score it needed to extend the game. Completions from Fields to Ash and then Cai Williams, the latter scoring on a 45-yard play, made it 27-21 with 1:47 left – Alexandria nearly intercepted the pass to Williams but couldn’t come away with it, and Williams displayed his strong run-after-catch skills to score.
But with timeouts limited, Destrehan was forced to attempt an onside kick. Alexandria recovered and was able to run the clock down to 20 seconds left.
The Wildcats had one last shot. Fields completed a pass to Ash for a first down which momentarily stopped the clock with one second left – this would be the source of a bit of controversy to end the game. DHS snapped the ball to spike it, but time expired. The ball was completed to Ash and Ash downed with five seconds displayed, but the clock ran down to 1 prior to the first down stoppage. That denied Destrehan the chance for a final heave from midfield.
